Joyce Davis, owner of Lake Street Gallery in Miller, moved to the area 27 years ago and since then has totally immersed herself in the community. Fourteen years ago she opened the gallery, was one of the organizers of the Gallery Gallop, a beach run that also takes participants through historic neighborhoods, The Crisis Center Arts & Wine Auction and started the Annual Gallery Christmas Sing Along.

"Next year will be the 15th anniversary of all these," says Davis who grew up in Chicago and attended Lutheran North High School in the city.

A graduate of Roosevelt University with a degree in art education, Davis never taught after she finished her student teaching. Instead she started doing art fairs in 1972 and from there segued into owning a gallery. She moved to Miller after marrying.

"I love Miller," says Davis whose gallery carries the work of regional and local artists particularly those focusing on the Dunes.

Supporting artists is one of her big passions.

"I like to emphasize that my gallery sells small art by artists, many of whom are working out of their homes," says Davis noting that she avoids art that is mass produced. "With today's printing techniques and with the Chinese getting much better at copying things, people often think they're getting an original canvas that is instead machine produced. And that makes it so difficult for the individual artists."

At her gallery, Davis features fine traditional and contemporary art as well as highest-quality American crafts including glass, pottery, jewelry and Miller Beach memorabilia including books and posters.

Besides running the gallery, Davis also is involved in many projects focused on improving Miller. She just recently became a member of the Gary Rotary Club and is about to begin her next term on the board of South Shore Arts, a region organization that provides art services, including exhibits and art classes. She also is a board member of the Gary Art Works, a youth program that provides after-school and summer art classes at the Charter School of the Dunes. And though she recently left the board of the Gary Aquatorium, a National Historic Landmark that was rescued from demolition in 1991, she still helps out there as well.

All this doesn't leave much time for Davis to relax but when the stepmother of two adult children does, she loves to garden, travel, hang out on the beach and attend RailCats games.

"I'm busy," she says. "But I'm having fun."

Davis' gallery is at 613 S. Lake St., Gary. Call (219) 938-4566 or visit www.lakestreetgallery.com.